The Los Angeles Lakers have a lot of offseason moves in mind. That’s become clear since they remained quiet at the trade deadline and were reportedly eyeing a busy summer going after free agents and top trade targets with new franchise star Luka Doncic.
However, that will require some roster retooling, meaning some key players could be moved to make space for new talent.
One of those players that could be traded from the Lakers this summer is Jarred Vanderbilt, who most recently got into an on-court argument with head coach JJ Redick, having to be separated by his teammates.
Lakers ‘Most Likely’ Player To Be Traded Is Jarred Vanderbilt
GettyLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 12: Jarred Vanderbilt #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers wants a foul call against the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on February 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Things haven’t gone well for Vanderbilt since being acquired by Los Angeles in the 2022-23 season and signing a four-year, $48 million extension with the team that offseason.
In the three seasons since, he is only averaging five points in 153 total games, mostly coming off the bench in a role that has become more and more limited as time goes on.
According to Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, Vanderbilt is the player the Lakers will most likely trade this offseason in hopes of starting fresh with some new talent.
“The 26-year-old is averaging 4.4 points and 4.5 rebounds primarily off the bench for LA and has shot just 29.8 percent from three over the last two seasons,” he wrote. “Still owed $25.7 million over the next two years (with a player option in 2027-28), moving Vanderbilt would help clear some significant cap space for the Lakers this summer while helping build a new core around Luka Dončić.”
While his recent play has already put his status for a future with the Lakers in question, Vanderbilt’s recent spat with Redick points to an even cloudier future in Los Angeles after this season.
Jarred Vanderbilt And JJ Redick Recent Drama
In the Lakers’ recent game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, one in which the team was dealing with injuries to four of their five starters, Vanderbilt appeared to get into a heated argument with Redick during a timeout.
After the game, Redick spoke about the incident.
“It’s nothing personal with him. Normal stuff from my end,” Redick said. “I think for all of us, being undermanned, we’ve got to scrap and claw, we’ve got to all be on the same page, we got to be great teammates, we got to all play hard. Called a timeout to get him out of the game. And he reacted.
Despite being healthy, Vanderbilt didn’t play for the rest of the game, one that saw other Lakers’ players typically not in the rotation get extended time on the court.
Following the dispute, Vanderbilt did not speak to reporters, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
Vanderbilt played an average of just 13.4 minutes in nine games in March. That number has since dropped to 9.3 minutes in April, despite the several injuries the Lakers are dealing with right now.
While his future with the team remains uncertain, as Swartz hinted at, Los Angeles moving on from him in a trade this offseason wouldn’t come as a major surprise.
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